A lone dissenter, a creative, unorthodox individual, and essentially, a rebel with a cause, the maverick archetype has come up in mythology, literature and cinema for centuries in all parts of the world. The maverick’s unusual ways are lost on others, but he knows what he is working towards, and that is all that matters. He is audacious and often breaks the rules, but his motives are honorable. If at first weary, by the end of any story people can appreciate this character’s good will and entirely original method.
Ren McCormack, fantastically portrayed by a fiery and youthful Kevin Bacon, embodies the spirit of the maverick with pizzazz. An urbane teenager from Chicago, Ren finds himself in Utah living with his aunt and uncle. Their town is rural, very small, and the kind of place you would think you need a passport to visit. Poor Ren is clearly a misfit amongst his new, tractor racing peers. His one true form of solace is music; he is never with out his beloved walk-man. Ren is also quite good at gymnastics and, of course, dance. He can move and groove and do a running man like no other. Soon after meeting his first friend in town, a sad little boy named Willard Hewitt, Ren learns of the town’s heinous rule that forbids public dancing! Not only this, but they also prohibit rock music of any kind! Distressed and in serious need of some TLC, Ren does the only thing he can think to do: he dances. The radio is on full blast in his vintage bug, as Ren passionately boogies all over his make shift disco (an old warehouse for freight trains.) After clearing his head he decides something needs to be done. His source of encouragement comes from Ariel, the rebellious daughter of the town’s most stern minister, Reverend Shaw Moore and her spunky friend Rusty. Both girls, like Ren, firmly believe in the healing power of dance. Willard tags along, but his devotion to the cause is never discernible. The rest of the kids scoff at Ren’s efforts. Still, after some struggle and a few blows to the mouth (Ariel getting punched by her boyfriend for hanging out with Ren), the town’s board members tell Ren he can bring up his issue during the town meeting. During this time, Ren accumulates a strong following from his fellow students. The day of the town meeting finally arrives and Ren shows up fully outfitted in his shiny gray suit, ready to wow, while Ariel dons her “Dance Your Ass Off” tee. After a long and inspirational speech, made even more convincing by Ren’s references to the Bible, the town accepts his plea! And so Ren and all of his queer party friends gather and rejoice in an odd sequence where they all miraculously know how to dance very well.
Loki is a character from Scandinavian Norse myths. He was a shape shifter who could transform into different animals, as well as become man or woman. The son of two Giants, Loki was so clever that he managed to become a God. He was well known for this kind of crafty plan. When the gods were struggling to build their palace, Asgard, Loki convinced a giant to complete the job. The giant agreed and said he would finish the project within a certain amount of time, but in exchange for such hard labor, he asked Loki for the moon, the sun and the beautiful Goddess Freya. The gods, of course, would not agree. Loki assured them that the giant could not finish such a strenuous project in time all by himself and that they needn’t worry. Alas, the giant brought his super strong stallion, Svadilfari, to help him complete the job. Eventually only three days were left till the giant finished and the gods, especially Freya, began panicking. Being the tactful giant he was, Loki changed himself into a mare and seduced Svadilfari, leading him off into the woods and away from the work. With his horse missing the giant did not make his scheduale and the sun, moon and Freya were all relieved.
Why We Love Mavericks...
From Loki (13th century) to Footloose (1984), the maverick has stayed with us. There is just something undeniably cool about someone who has such badass creative technique in doing what they need to get done and still manage to accomplish what they set out to do, even if they break a few rules in the process. Some part of us wishes we could be as inventive and successful in our endeavors as the maverick. Some of us belive we are, and that if in such a postition, we would be the rebel leaders that get things done, the kind of people that others would admire and appriciate for their efforts, just like our favorite characters in the movies. In essence, for us the Mavericks of the real and fictional world are an inspiration.
THE MAVERICK
A lone dissenter, a creative, unorthodox individual, and essentially, a rebel with a cause, the maverick archetype has come up in mythology, literature and cinema for centuries in all parts of the world. The maverick’s unusual ways are lost on others, but he knows what he is working towards, and that is all that matters. He is audacious and often breaks the rules, but his motives are honorable. If at first weary, by the end of any story people can appreciate this character’s good will and entirely original method.
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FILM EXAMPLE- **Ren McCormak** in Footloose!
Ren McCormack, fantastically portrayed by a fiery and youthful Kevin Bacon, embodies the spirit of the maverick with pizzazz. An urbane teenager from Chicago, Ren finds himself in Utah living with his aunt and uncle. Their town is rural, very small, and the kind of place you would think you need a passport to visit. Poor Ren is clearly a misfit amongst his new, tractor racing peers. His one true form of solace is music; he is never with out his beloved walk-man. Ren is also quite good at gymnastics and, of course, dance. He can move and groove and do a running man like no other. Soon after meeting his first friend in town, a sad little boy named Willard Hewitt, Ren learns of the town’s heinous rule that forbids public dancing! Not only this, but they also prohibit rock music of any kind! Distressed and in serious need of some TLC, Ren does the only thing he can think to do: he dances. The radio is on full blast in his vintage bug, as Ren passionately boogies all over his make shift disco (an old warehouse for freight trains.) After clearing his head he decides something needs to be done. His source of encouragement comes from Ariel, the rebellious daughter of the town’s most stern minister, Reverend Shaw Moore and her spunky friend Rusty. Both girls, like Ren, firmly believe in the healing power of dance. Willard tags along, but his devotion to the cause is never discernible. The rest of the kids scoff at Ren’s efforts. Still, after some struggle and a few blows to the mouth (Ariel getting punched by her boyfriend for hanging out with Ren), the town’s board members tell Ren he can bring up his issue during the town meeting. During this time, Ren accumulates a strong following from his fellow students. The day of the town meeting finally arrives and Ren shows up fully outfitted in his shiny gray suit, ready to wow, while Ariel dons her “Dance Your Ass Off” tee. After a long and inspirational speech, made even more convincing by Ren’s references to the Bible, the town accepts his plea! And so Ren and all of his queer party friends gather and rejoice in an odd sequence where they all miraculously know how to dance very well.Picture2
MYTHOLOGY- **Loki**
Loki is a character from Scandinavian Norse myths. He was a shape shifter who could transform into different animals, as well as become man or woman. The son of two Giants, Loki was so clever that he managed to become a God. He was well known for this kind of crafty plan. When the gods were struggling to build their palace, Asgard, Loki convinced a giant to complete the job. The giant agreed and said he would finish the project within a certain amount of time, but in exchange for such hard labor, he asked Loki for the moon, the sun and the beautiful Goddess Freya. The gods, of course, would not agree. Loki assured them that the giant could not finish such a strenuous project in time all by himself and that they needn’t worry. Alas, the giant brought his super strong stallion, Svadilfari, to help him complete the job. Eventually only three days were left till the giant finished and the gods, especially Freya, began panicking. Being the tactful giant he was, Loki changed himself into a mare and seduced Svadilfari, leading him off into the woods and away from the work. With his horse missing the giant did not make his scheduale and the sun, moon and Freya were all relieved.Why We Love Mavericks...
From Loki (13th century) to Footloose (1984), the maverick has stayed with us. There is just something undeniably cool about someone who has such badass creative technique in doing what they need to get done and still manage to accomplish what they set out to do, even if they break a few rules in the process. Some part of us wishes we could be as inventive and successful in our endeavors as the maverick. Some of us belive we are, and that if in such a postition, we would be the rebel leaders that get things done, the kind of people that others would admire and appriciate for their efforts, just like our favorite characters in the movies. In essence, for us the Mavericks of the real and fictional world are an inspiration.Just for kicks...